...

Jian Xing Sui never thought life could be so dreamy.

Lying in his hospital bed, his mind wandered back to a recent conversation with the movie star Fu Ying Di. After he nodded in agreement, the silence from Fu Ying Di made his heart hang in suspense. Just as he wondered if he'd been too forward, placing pressure on Fu Jin Xie, Fu Ying Di, seated by the window, asked, "When does your contract with the company end?"

Jian Xing Sui blankly responded, "Huh?"

After that, Fu Ying Di didn't say much, leaving only a statement, "If your contract ends or if you wish to break it, come discuss it with me."

Confused, Jian Xing Sui was still trying to make sense of it all when Fu Jin Xie called and left.

Running a fever and too delirious to think, he drifted into a heavy sleep, lulled by the medication.

When he awoke, it was the show's staff, Xiao Mi, who looked after him, saying, "Brother Fu had an emergency. He's busy with a show and took a flight last night, so I'm here to care for you."

Jian Xingsui expressed his gratitude: "Thank you. I apologize for any inconvenience."

Xiaomi sighed, "There's no need for thanks between us. We've worked together before. Unless you've become too famous now to consider me a friend?"

Jian Xingsui quickly shook his head: "No, that's not it."

Xiaomi worked with the show’s production team. When Jian Xingsui was struggling, he had briefly taken a temporary job with the production, and at that time, Xiaomi had been his partner.

Hesitating, Jian Xingsui asked, “But… am I really that popular now?”

Xiaomi chuckled, “You're quite the sensation! Especially after yesterday. You received the most votes of anyone, making you the top contestant!”

Jian Xingsui, in disbelief: “Really?”

Xiaomi placed her hands on her hips, “Why would I lie to you?”

Recalling that contestants weren't allowed to use phones on set, she discreetly handed him her own smartphone, “I'm only doing this because we’re friends. Make sure you don't tell anyone.”

Emotionally, Jian Xingsui responded, "I understand. Thank you, Xiaomi."

Xiaomi smiled and slipped out to keep an eye on the hallway.

As Jian Xingsui lay in bed, he cautiously searched his name on the phone, finding several trending topics related to him. The hottest topic was his song "Weiguang," with the top post being a video of his performance from the night before. Comments poured in beneath the video:

“Please release 'Weiguang' on music platforms!”

“I've rewatched this segment so many times.”

“'Weiguang' brings me to tears.”

As Jian Xingsui scrolled through comments about "Weiguang", he came across a post that read:

“Many, including Tutor Tuya and other friends, have often said Jian Xingsui’s songs are deeply emotional. I never understood until I heard 'Weiguang.' Everyone else on stage seemed to sing, 'I am the light, shining for you,' but he sang, 'You are the light, thank you for shining on me.'"

In reality, most of us lead ordinary lives. We, like Jian Xingsui, are average people waiting for someone to light up our world.

That’s what makes his songs so touching.

While other performances boast of one's brilliance, he expresses gratitude: "Thank you for shining your light on me."

Such sincerity deeply resonates with many in their daily lives.

Many agreed in the comments below the post:

“Finally, someone put my feelings into words!”

“His songs truly speak to my heart.”

“I hope he makes his official debut soon.”

Jian Xingsui read through numerous comments and support messages, warmth flooding his heart. During the first round, he had achieved a decent ranking, which left him in disbelief. The pressure was immense during the second round. Fearing disappointment from those who supported him, he worked incredibly hard. He wasn't naturally talented, so he was afraid of the disappointed glances from fans.

As he continued scrolling, Jian Xingsui stumbled upon an unusual post with the hashtag #TeacherStudent. The post was filled with pictures and clips of him with Fu Jinxiao. There were snapshots from practice sessions where Fu Jinxiao was guiding him, pictures from the public performance, and candid moments of them looking at each other.

At the time, nothing seemed amiss, but now, these taken-out-of-context images seemed filled with a subtle romantic tension that was unexpectedly sweet.

The comments below included:

“This teacher-student duo is so cute.”

“The little bunny always trailing behind the big bad wolf.”

“Every gesture is so sweet.”

“They sometimes look like a perfect match.”

A smile spread across Jian Xingsui’s face as he muttered, "Is this for real..."

Lost in the photos, he was interrupted when Xiaomi returned with a doctor, saying, "Xingsui, it's time to change the IV bag."

Startled, Jian Xingsui nearly dropped his phone.

Xiaomi quickly caught it, and upon seeing the photos displayed, a teasing smirk appeared on his face.

Jian Xingsui felt a rush of embarrassment, wishing he could disappear. Xiaomi grinned knowingly, whispering after the doctor left, “I get it, I totally get it.”

With ears turning red, Jian Xingsui challenged, “What do you get?”

“Who wouldn’t be happy to get some of Fu's popularity?” Xiaomi giggled, “If it were me, I’d stare at those pictures longer.”

Jian Xingsui’s racing heart began to calm.

Under Xiaomi’s puzzled gaze, he softly admitted, “It's not about gaining popularity…”

Xiaomi strained to hear, "What did you say?"

But Jian Xingsui merely shook his head, "Nothing."

Some feelings were better kept hidden. Perhaps this was the best ending for their story.

...

the next day

Jian Xingsui's health improved and he returned to the training center.

After the second round, the contestants got some rest. Jian Xingsui learned that half of the participants would be eliminated in this round, leaving only 24. There would be only three groups competing in the third round, but this time, they would be joined by celebrity guest performers.

Among these was An Ran's older brother, Jian Zhi.

Shen Xingchen complained to him, “I heard Jian Zhi is coming early today for An Ran's birthday or something.”

Jian Xingsui stiffened.

Oblivious, Shen Xingchen continued with a hint of annoyance, “It’s so pretentious. The producers have even organized a special segment because of the brothers. They want to spotlight the ‘royal family.’ Apparently, Jian Zhi has invested a lot in this episode. There's going to be a big birthday party, and we all have to attend An Ran's celebration.”

...

Shen Xingchen stopped halfway through, sensing the silence around her, and looked back in puzzlement. "Why aren't you speaking?"

Jian Xingsui’s face had darkened noticeably. Only when questioned did he manage a weak smile, gently shaking his head, "It's nothing."

If it weren’t for Shen Xingchen's words, he would have almost forgotten that his birthday was just around the corner.

For several years now, whenever his birthday came around, everyone in his family was preoccupied: his father was away on business, his eldest brother was tied up in meetings, and his second brother... well, he was always too busy with his schedules, managing only a quick birthday message on WeChat.

They were all... quite occupied.

It seemed that at some point, his family stopped celebrating his birthday. He had thought they were all just too busy. Now he realized it wasn't that the family didn’t celebrate birthdays; they just didn’t celebrate his.

Maybe his disappointment was too evident, for Shen Xingchen hesitated, asking, "You don't like how the program favors the royals either, do you?"

Jian Xingsui was taken aback, then nodded noncommittally.

Shen Xingchen sighed, patting Jian's shoulder in a condescending manner, "Well, you should count your blessings. After all, not everyone is as talented and wealthy as me!"

"..."

Jian Xingsui was left dumbstruck by his friend's audacity.

When they were called to the dining hall that afternoon, it was apparent that most contestants were in high spirits. After some inquiries, they learned that Jian Zhi had arrived earlier than expected. As a current rising star in the entertainment industry, to these budding contestants, Jian Zhi was an esteemed senior. Many were eager to get acquainted.

Jian Zhi entered amidst cheerful applause and excitement.

Many contestants eagerly approached him:

"Brother Jian, I've listened to your songs!"

"Hello, Brother Jian."

Beside Jian Zhi stood An Ran. Unlike Fu Jinxiao, who always maintained a low profile, An Ran preferred casual wear. Now, however, he was impeccably dressed in a black suit and tie, hair immaculately styled. An Ran stood close by, portraying a close-knit brotherly bond.

Jian Zhi spoke with a smile, "I'm here mainly to coordinate the stage performances with everyone. So, don't be too formal. Just treat me as a friend."

The other students murmured admiringly:

"Brother Jian is so approachable."

"He's so down-to-earth."

Only Jian Xingsui knew the truth; Jian Zhi was, in fact, quite arrogant. If he was genuinely here as a friend, he wouldn't dress so flamboyantly. And he was not approachable at all. In the past, Jian Xingsui was scolded numerous times for bringing friends home.

As most contestants rushed to greet Jian Zhi, he scanned the room and noticed only Jian Xingsui and Shen Xingchen in a corner, ignoring him. His expression shifted subtly. Seemingly intentional, Jian Zhi held An Ran's hand more conspicuously, speaking louder, "Primarily, I'm here to support my younger brother, An Ran. I hope he hasn't caused too much trouble for everyone."

An Ran, defended by his elder brother in such a manner, grinned sheepishly.

Other students hurriedly responded:

"Jian, you're too kind. Ran is a delight. He's never been a bother."

"You're such a good brother."

"Ran is really lucky."

Joy radiated from An Ran's face, basking in the envious glances of the others.

A student mustered the courage to ask for an autograph. Jian obliged everyone, and soon a throng surrounded him seeking autographs and WeChat contacts. But Jian's attention seemed oddly fixated on the other side of the room. There, Jian Xingsui was not just oblivious to him but was now sharing a meal with Shen Xingchen, seemingly out of sheer boredom.

...

It was an odd, subtle sensation.

In the past, Jian Xingsui always idolized Jian Zhi, trailing him like a shadow, proudly flaunting their brotherhood. That clingy behavior once irked Jian Zhi, who deemed his talentless younger brother an annoyance.

En route here, he had watched the previous performance. Not for Jian Xingsui, of course, but for An Ran. Online praise had lauded Xingsui's exceptional composition skills. Watching "Twilight Glow" on screen, Jian Zhi found himself captivated, wondering if he really knew this shining performer on stage.

Was that truly Jian Xingsui?

His seemingly inept younger brother?

When did he learn to compose? How was he unaware of this?

Carrying these perplexing thoughts, Jian Zhi had anticipated that Xingsui, upon hearing his impending elimination and seeing his elder brother, would plead for intervention, just as before. He even rehearsed his refusal.

Yet…

An Ran nudged Jian Zhi. "Bro, what are you staring at?"

Snapped back to reality, Jian Zhi feigned indifference. "Nothing, really."

An Ran's smile seemed strained. "Really?"

Lies.

He was clearly looking at Jian Xingsui.

A twinge of displeasure surfaced in An Ran's heart, but he retained a gentle demeanor. "Brother, shall we eat?"

Jian Zhi nodded.

Noticing Jian Zhi's fixation on Jian Xingsui, An Ran, keen on outdoing Xingsui in the next performance, deliberately chose a seat across from him. Remembering their past, he even fetched shrimp, which Jian used to peel for him.

As they settled, An Ran whispered, "Brother, would you like some shrimp? Shall I peel them for you?"

Though not particularly fond of shrimp, Jian replied, "No need, Ran. I remember you love them. Let me do it for you."

An Ran blushed, "Oh, how could I?"

Gently ruffling Ran's hair, Jian soothed, "You're my brother. There's no need for formalities."

With calculated intent, Jian Zhi played the role of the caring elder brother. His tender attention to his "brother" sparked envy among the others. Across the table, Jian Xingsui noticed. While he had long ceased to care, witnessing such disparate treatment brought a sinking, bitter feeling to his heart.

Shen Xingchen next to him couldn't stand such mushy scenes.

With an air of bravado, Yue Ye put down his chopsticks, announcing, "I'll get some shrimp too."

Returning with a plate of shrimp, Shen Xingchen, seemingly to annoy the one opposite him, put an arm around Jian Xingsui and teased, "Hey, little brother, fancy some shrimp? Let your big bro peel them for you."

"..."

Jian Xingsui was caught between amusement and exasperation.

Accepting the shrimp from Shen Xingchen, Jian Xingsui whispered, "It's okay, I'm not fond of shrimp. You should avoid it too; you're allergic to seafood."

Shen Xingchen, the always-confused one, frowned, "How did you know?"

Jian Xingsui sighed, "Last time during the hot pot meal, you didn't touch any seafood and said you couldn't eat it."

Shen Xingchen pursed his lips and reluctantly put down the shrimp.

Seeing his dejected look, Jian Xingsui gave him a chicken leg from his bowl, "Here, eat this instead."

Shen Xingchen, feigning indignation, passed the chicken leg back and then shared his own with Jian Xingsui, proclaiming grandly, "Since we can't have shrimp, let's settle for chicken legs."

Jian Xingsui couldn't help but smile at Shen's quirky behavior, his earlier gloominess dissipating.

On the other side, Jian Zhi seemed strangely lost in thought.

He had never told Jian Xingsui about his aversion to shrimp, but during meals, Jian Xingsui always made sure he never had any. When he came home, the dishes always consisted of his favorites. Sometimes Jian Xingsui would hesitantly add, "I made this dish. It might be a bit burnt, but it should still taste good..."

Back then, he just saw his brother as clumsy and a nuisance.

An Ran was an excellent cook, so Jian Zhi would get emotional over his delicacies, but he never appreciated Jian Xingsui's awkward attempts at cooking. Over the years, he had never spared a second glance for his inept younger brother.

An Ran softly intervened, "Big brother, I've peeled some shrimp for you."

His gentle voice was as understanding as ever.

Jian Zhi snapped back to reality, a strange bitterness in his heart. Normally, he would've appreciated An Ran's gesture. Now, he just replied indifferently, "It's okay. I'm not hungry."

The smile on An Ran's face froze.

Holding his chopsticks in disbelief, he tried to comprehend the sudden coldness from his older brother. What went wrong? Weren't they fine just moments ago?

...

the next day

Preparations were underway for a program shooting. Many students were decorating the dining hall, planning to get cakes and such for An Ran's birthday party. The air buzzed with discussions and excitement.

After returning from the training room, Jian Xingsui, feeling drained, headed straight for the bathroom for a shower.

Though usually carefree, even Shen Xingchen felt that something was amiss today. He pulled Ning Ze aside, "Don't you think there's something off with Little Jian today?"

Ning Ze, always a man of few words, pondered for a moment and then nodded.

"Why?" Shen Xingchen asked, looking bewildered, "Is he still not feeling well?"

Ning Ze paused for a moment before finally saying, "I don't think it's that. I believe it might be because his birthday is in a couple of days."

"What?!"

Shen Xingchen was so shocked he almost jumped up, "What did you say?"

With his typical calm demeanor, Ning Ze replied, "That's my guess."

Shen Xingchen pressed on, "How did you come to that conclusion?"

"When we first arrived here, we had to register our information. I was behind him and caught a glimpse of his birthdate. Since it was coming up soon, I remembered it," Ning Ze explained calmly, "It’s on the same day as An Ran's."

Shen Xingchen exclaimed in astonishment, "Why hasn't he mentioned it?"

Sitting down beside him, Ning Ze reasoned, "He's probably trying to avoid an awkward situation. After all, An Ran is from a royal family with connections, and his father invested in the show. Celebrating only An Ran's birthday would put him in the limelight. If he also mentioned his own birthday, it might create an awkward moment."

It was a sentiment that many could empathize with.

But Shen Xingchen was bewildered, "It's just a birthday! It happens once a year!"

In the Shen household, the young prince's birthday was always an extravagant event, overflowing with gifts. Shen Xingchen couldn't fathom why his younger friend would suppress his own birthday.

Most shockingly, the production team seemed to deliberately overlook it to ensure An Ran remained the sole focus. Shen Xingchen, the defender of justice, was far from pleased.

Ning Ze remarked, "It's unfortunate, but... where are you going?"

Shen Xingchen casually strolled out of the dormitory. Those with means, like him, always had a hidden mobile phone. Normally, they'd avoid using it for fear of getting caught, but this was an exceptional circumstance. He needed it now.

He had to buy a birthday gift for his friend.

And request a cake from home, preferably a large one.

He first tried calling his elder brother, but the call didn't connect. Probably because he was traveling or in a meeting. Limited on phone time, he called home instead. After a few rings, a gentle feminine voice answered; it was Xu Enzhen.

Shen Xingchen greeted, "Mom, why are you still up so late?"

Rain pattered in the background on her side. Xu Enzhen replied, "I was just about to go to bed. What's up?"

Concern evident in his voice, Shen Xingchen inquired, "Is Dad home?"

Xu Enzhen reassured him, "Yes, he's here. Don't worry."

Shen Xingchen sighed in relief. In the Shen household, there was a certain superstition about rainy days. Many years ago, Mrs. Xu gave birth on a stormy night, and the child passed away on a subsequent rainy day. Ever since, she suffered from nightmares, especially on thunderous nights. She'd often dream of that child, waking up in heart-wrenching sobs.

Xu Enzhen softly asked, "What's the matter, Xingchen?"

"Oh, nothing major," Shen Xingchen began, "You know Jian Xingsui, right? His birthday is the day after tomorrow. I wanted to get him a birthday present, but I'm here in the training camp. I've heard his parents aren't too fond of him, and the show's producers are playing dumb. So, I was thinking..."

A sudden silence emanated from the other end of the line.

The year of the accident, Shen Xingchen was merely three or four, too young to remember. With Madam Xu later suffering from postpartum depression and mental issues, the household strictly forbade any discussions about that incident. Thus, Shen Xingchen remained unaware of the memorial date of the younger brother he never got to meet.

"Boom!"

A sudden clap of thunder from outside resounded with immense force, striking like a heavy blow to the heart, causing an immediate tightening of one's spirit.

An unsettling premonition came over Shen Xingchen, hesitatingly he called, "Mom?"

Inside the Xu residence, a woman sat rigidly on the sofa. Her beautiful face painted with grief, her body uncontrollably trembling. Eventually, two clear tears streamed down, her delicate fingers covering her lips slightly, she whispered, "Is it the day after tomorrow? That child's birthday... is it really then?"

Shen Xingchen was perplexed by his mother's sudden demeanor, nodding cautiously, "Yes, it is indeed the day after tomorrow. That's why I was thinking..."

"Alright, I'll help you get ready," Xu Enzhen's voice trembled a bit. She seemed somewhat at a loss, "What should we prepare? What does he like? What does he need? I should go to the mall tomorrow then. Oh, and he must want a cake, right? He would be 20 this year, wouldn’t he? I wonder what flavor he likes. I..."

Holding his phone, Shen Xingchen gazed outside where rain traced patterns on the glass, softly uttering, "Mom, why are you crying?"